How architect Paul Revere Williams shaped Los Angeles
A trio of exhibitions highlights the work of Paul Revere Williams, the first licensed Black architect in California.
Paul Revere Williams was the first licensed Black architect in California and completed an estimated 3,000 projects during the six decades before his death in 1980.
His work included single-family residences, commercial buildings, affordable housing projects and the Los Angeles County courthouse. He also helped reimagine the now-demolished Ambassador Hotel and designed homes for Frank Sinatra, Barbara Stanwyck, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.
Williams led the renovation of the Beverly Hills Hotel, including its recognizable curving sign, which is written in his handwriting. He was also part of the architectural team behind the Theme Building at Los Angeles International Airport, built in the early 1960s.
Three new exhibitions are presenting Williams’s work and arguing for his place among the major architects of the 20th century.
THE QUESTIONS THIS EVENT LEAVES BEHIND
What barriers did Williams face as a Black architect in California?
How were the benefits and risks of his work distributed among Los Angeles communities?
Which of Williams’s projects remain accessible to the public today?
What criteria should determine who belongs among the 20th century’s great architects?
YOUR QUESTION
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GLOBAL CURIOSITY MAP · AUGUST 2026